Sporting the Mazdaspeed6 drivetrain the Mazdaspeed 3 is set to possibly overcome it's big brother next year. The Mazdaspeed 3 will only run front wheel drive with a limited slip differential. The AWD package to be borrowed from the 6 as rumoured never made it.

from caranddriver.com

"To celebrate the successful and well-regarded Mazda 3's three-year mid-cycle refresh, Mazda is introducing the Mazdaspeed 3. This hotted-up 3 combines the turbocharged 2.3-liter DISI direct-injection four-cylinder engine (making more than 250 hp in this guise) from the long-delayed Mazaspeed 6 with the 3's smaller five-door hatchback body and front-wheel drive only (the Mazdaspeed 6 has all-wheel drive). Top speed is limited to 155 mph and Mazda claims a 6.1-second time for 0-100 km/h (62 mph). The suspension setup is significantly stiffer than the standard 3's (which is already no marshmallow), but it remains to be seen how well this chassis will handle the massive 280 lb-ft of torque; the few European hatchbacks with this amount of twist are pretty unruly, especially when equipped, as this Mazda is, with a limited-slip differential. We're bracing ourselves for the torque-steer."

It has already been posted

http://forums.mazdaworld.org/index.php?showtopic=13130

eeek sorry, admin or mod can delete mine

This is definately a car I am highly considering. I just sold my CRX so i'm done with Honda. Been there, done that. I'm just debating on wether or not to get the MS3, a new GTI, a WRX, or Legacy.

The GTi is quickly falling off my radar because it's so underpowered, yet VW's interiors are sic'wit it.

The new WRX front end looks like complete and utter ass.

The Legacy I like a lot but with the options I want, it's gonna be priced near an STi and I might as well get an STi if i'm gonna spend that much.

The MS3 seems to fit the bill but the only problem I have is the detuned motor and FWD platform. FWD I can deal with since it's coming with an LSD. Hopefully the motor comes with at least 260hp. Mazda's website says 250hp* *=being the provisional target. Maybe I can scoop up a MS6 ECU to throw into the MS3 and really be Zoom-Zoom-Zoom Also, me and my girl bought a Mazda 5 in February and it's looking like it wants a sibling already I was gonna get some rims for the 5 but i'll just throw the 18's that come on the MS3 on the 5 and buy myself some Volks for the MS3, yummm...

Looks to me like you really aren't making a decision, but getting in line with the rest of the drooling horde! It's going to be a cool car, dude! All good choices (except maybe the vDub? Will the engine blow? will it? WILL IT?!) I did marketing and promotions for Subie for 3 years. Great car(s) as well, but to go for the Legacy over the others you have listed really does put you in a different "class" of car. Very much a sedan (unless you were onto the GT wagon) but still a bigger car overall than the "hot hatches" you've been considering. Anyway, I have it on very good accord that the Alfa Romeo influence is being quashed and Subaru will be returning to a more mainstream look. I must applaud them for having the cajones to try something different and provocative, much, in my opinion, like Mazda. Design is important. It's not only about performance, but looks as well. (Though vDub would argue that great looks and a sufficient warranty will do. The masses reject that theory apparently )
If you decide more towards Subie, let me know and I will hook you up with the right people wherever you are. I could have gone either way but opted for my Mazda3 and I love it.

DaMutt

If I do decide on the Legacy, it will be the GT Sedan. Honestly, the only thing the Legacy has over the MS3 that I like is AWD. But where i'm at, the AWD will hardly be utilized to it's full potential. Also, like I stated before, with all the options I want, the Legacy will be about 29k...3k more and I can put myself in an STi and quite frankly while I would love to get an STi, I think it's slight overkill for my 7 month old son and overkill for what i'm looking for in a car right now.

Now about VW, I had an 04 Golf. Never gave me ANY problems. Although I never did beat on it. I took good care of that car and it took care of me. I have no problem getting a GTi but for 2k less than an MS3? No thanks. It's beat by the MS3 by at least 50hp and 75lbs. of torque.

So all in all, i'm caught between the Legacy and the MS3. Only time will tell

Also, i'm still waiting on a definate date to see if VW is going to bring the R36. I know for a fact that the R32 in the newer body style is on it's way but it's coming in the DSG tranny ONLY (this is a fact coming from a Volkswagen Insider at vwvortex.com) They are guessing the R36 will hit our shores in 2009. I'm sure the MS3 can hold me down until then

I wouldn't worry about utilization of the AWD. Just b/c it doesn't snow as much where you are it is still a very nice active safety feature. I always told people they wouldn't truly fall in love with thier Subie until they drove it in the rain. I am going to be really interested to see how the 3 is going to do on torque steer.
And as far as vDubs go, I was strongly considering a Rabbit and had put a down payment on one. A friend of mine who runs a shop specializing in euro cars told me about the specific issues they have been having on the 1.8 and 2.0t's. I pressed the vDub guy about it and he admitted there was an issue but they replaced them under warranty so what;s the big deal... uh huh. Anyway, he claimed the specific issues (sludge seisure and coil packs blowing the plugs out of socket) were addressed and no longer a problem. What stopped the whole deal was how easily the underbody (sills under the doors) are damaged. In fact, the one I was going to buy had been damaged and they tried to have it repaired without telling me until I pressed them on it. Turns out that since they use metal side sills they are prone to denting in when struck by a foot getting into the car. Too bad! I really don't understand why they made it (on the rabbit anyway) all one piece from the sills to the rear panels over the wheels.
Have you considered a WRX wagon? www.hotsubarus.com look at what these guys do from the dealer.

I really don't like the WRX Wagon, even more now that they went to that horrible front grill. I honestly need to test drive both the Legacy and MS3 when the time comes to make my decision. Right now i'm leaning more towards the MS3, but we'll see.

Yeah, the grill was a brave step, but they are goig to be moving away from that design concept on the next iteration. I think you are making a good choice either way. The Legacy is a fantastic car and if the Mazda 3 is any indication of what the MS3 will be, it should be great as well. What part of the country are you in?

I'm in So Cal. In the Antelope Valley area to be exact. If Subie comes out with the new front end you are talking about and it looks good, i'd most definately look into getting a WRX. Knw any good Mazda dealers? I really don't want to go to the one I got our Mazda 5 from because half the people there are complete asses.

I'm gonna test drive a Legacy this weekend so we'll see if I like it

Yeah I know a great Mazda dealer but it's in Texas where I bought mine! If you came here, you'd definately get that 1000 mile break-in out of the way soon! Hey, let me know how your test drive goes.

will do

Well I didn't get to test drive a Legacy from the dealer since my local subbie dealer is infact, not a subbie dealer lol They just hold the over stock for subbie out here in Cali and they ship accordngly to orders.

Check this out here! The AWD may be mute point.

M

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/motoring...azda_3_mps.html

Mazda's website has them listed starting @ $22,800...this car is mine

Old news i know - but i took one of these baby's out for a test drive last night.. Veery nice

The balance of the car and the speed were impressive, the turbocharger really belted you one! 0-60 in 6 secs thats what i like. Its a shame one of the car parts fell off as i parked it (not my fault by the way!) - so no buy for me!